Convince me Welker + 2nd > KCurtis - 2nd

[PatsDeb]

would you be convinced if that 2nd was for a player that ended up being like marquise hill or bethel johnson? I think Welker and Curtis are both good players, but Welker's versatility in the return game and ST makes him worth a 2nd and he is additionally a known commodity. Plus, he won't be torching us again in any games like he did last year.

Exactly. Our 2nd rounder last year hasn't turned out great so far. I am concerned though that the interest in Welker spells the end for Troy Brown. I was really hoping he'd come back for one more season.

 

[patfanken]

Here's my take. First of all we have all seen Welker several times, while we haven't seen much of Curtis. The only thing that I can see that is to the advatage of Curtis is his reported raw speed. Perhaps the Pats see Welker as being the quicker more explosive receiver.

The other more obvious advantage is special teams. Think about it. A wide receiver on an average game will get 4-7 touches to effect a game. Assuming the one KO and 3 scores by our opponent, and at least 4 punts; as a KR Welker would get 8 touches beyond whatever passes he'd catch. In other words he'd have on average twice as many touches per game as Curtis. thus he'd likely be more impactful every game.

That being concidered, Welker is the better value, DESPITE giving up the second as opposed to Curtis' likely bigger contract and no loss of a pick.

 

[AzPatsFan]

The Rams just signed Bennett for their WR corps. Is the end arriving for Isaac Bruce? I'd like him as the extra WR for the Pats. Or Eric Moulds perhaps.

That allows Caldwell, Gaffney, Welker, Bruce/Moulds and CJ. a young deep WR corps full of good NFL WRs. Especially with a TE corps of Ben, Dave and Kyle.

 

[feelthepain]

Welker is going into his 3rd season.

 

[psychoPat]

.... I am concerned though that the interest in Welker spells the end for Troy Brown. I was really hoping he'd come back for one more season.

GREAT lead-off question ... and good stuff in reply.
Esp., the Detroit angle and salary levels in general (forget the offer sheet razzmatazz!)

Deb, i feel your pain. But remember this:
Troy will be just a phone call away ... leading our famed shadow roster,
ahead even of Vinny Blanda, er, Testaverde.

 

[zippo59]

Welker is going into his 3rd season.

What's goin on with Fin Heaven?

It's been down for a while.

 

[RayClay]

The answer is simple. These guys aren't products made of the same components, they're individuals.

If the Patriots like Welker, they won't have another chance to get him once he signs long term somewhere.

It's likely there were a lot of backup linebackers with potential in the last 6 years. The Patriots saw something in Vrabel and went after him.

Maybe Piolichick could explain why and maybe it's just a feeling.

One Mike Vrabel signing is worth a boatload of low 2nd round picks, even if similar linebacker named Vike Mrabel, (for example), was available.

 

[feelthepain]

What's goin on with Fin Heaven?

It's been down for a while.

Not sure, it's a brutal site, it has more problems then any site I visit, 10x more!

 

[zippo59]

Not sure, it's a brutal site, it has more problems then any site I visit, 10x more!

Yeah I was on it a little today and it was very slow.

 

[spacecrime]

Welker is going into his 3rd season.

If he is an RFA then he is going into this fourth season.

 

[upstater1]

would you be convinced if that 2nd was for a player that ended up being like marquise hill or bethel johnson? I think Welker and Curtis are both good players, but Welker's versatility in the return game and ST makes him worth a 2nd and he is additionally a known commodity. Plus, he won't be torching us again in any games like he did last year.

But I'm about as convinced by that argument as I am by the argument that it's dumb to trade a 2nd for a player because we traded a 2nd for Duane Starks.

 

[zippo59]

But I'm about as convinced by that argument as I am by the argument that it's dumb to trade a 2nd for a player because we traded a 2nd for Duane Starks.

I belive we traded a third for Starks.

 

[upstater1]

would you be convinced if that 2nd was for a player that ended up being like marquise hill or bethel johnson? I think Welker and Curtis are both good players, but Welker's versatility in the return game and ST makes him worth a 2nd and he is additionally a known commodity. Plus, he won't be torching us again in any games like he did last year.

But I'm about as convinced by that argument as I am by the argument that it's dumb to trade a 2nd for a player because we traded a 2nd for Duane Starks.

Look, for many years we've convinced ourselves that the Belichick method is geting players through the draft so that you don't have to pay them big $$$. That's where you save money so that you can keep a few core veterans while letting the others go.

I'm firmly convinced that in the NFL, championships are won on draft day.

That being said, I'm concerned now that with the new CBA, Belichick has realized that you probably only get 2 years of solid production from a drafted player that you hit on. Think of Bruschi in his 4th year. And BB has maybe changed his operating procedure because he realizes the best value is now in free agency. I'[m concerned because the priorities are different, and this is virgin territory for the Patriots.

 

[feelthepain]

If he is an RFA then he is going into this fourth season.

His Rookie season is 04...you do the math.

 

[PatsFaninAZ]

I don't know whether it's worth the pick or not, but the difference between these two guys is obviously returning kicks. One of them has more than 5,000 return yards in 3 years, and the other has fewer than 200 in 4 years. Belichick seems to like multi-tool players.

I kind of think it's funny readng so many posts about whether this move or that move is consistent with the patriot's philosophy. At the end of the day, I think Belichick has one philosphy, and it can't be easily captured in overly-simpistic one-liners about "value," or "drafting the best available player," or "not overspending in free agency."

I think Belichick understands that building a football team involves a spectrum of choices, and each comes with its own cost, it's own risk, and its own reward. I think his dominating philosophy is simply to make the choice that helps the team at any given time, given the cards he's already holding. Some years that will be X, some years Y, but the fact that it's X for a few doesn't mean it's never going to be Y.

 

[Patjew]

His Rookie season is 04...you do the math.

That means this will be his fourth season.

 

[TheBostonStraggler]

I don't know whether it's worth the pick or not, but the difference between these two guys is obviously returning kicks. One of them has more than 5,000 return yards in 3 years, and the other has fewer than 200 in 4 years. Belichick seems to like multi-tool players.

I kind of think it's funny readng so many posts about whether this move or that move is consistent with the patriot's philosophy. At the end of the day, I think Belichick has one philosphy, and it can't be easily captured in overly-simpistic one-liners about "value," or "drafting the best available player," or "not overspending in free agency."

I think Belichick understands that building a football team involves a spectrum of choices, and each comes with its own cost, it's own risk, and its own reward. I think his dominating philosophy is simply to make the choice that helps the team at any given time, given the cards he's already holding. Some years that will be X, some years Y, but the fact that it's X for a few doesn't mean it's never going to be Y.

I agree. And it doesn't "seem" that BB likes multi-tool players; BB likes and covets guys who can contribute at more than one position. Give him a guy who can give solid production in an offensive or defensive spot AND give him solid production on ST's. Add to that high character and high motivation. That is a BB guy. Hey, he may be a bust. The whole thing is a crap shoot ultimately. That said, I am perplexed at the complaints. This is a totally new year in the NFL. Countless teams are swimming in extra cap space. The Patriots added a guy who caught nearly 70 passes with the QB deficient Phins. What the heck is this guy going to do with Brady throwing to him?? We added a much needed solid WR. Further, we still have 2 1's and a 2 to draft with. Plus the contract numbers seem unlikely to add up to as much as being stated. Finally, those complaining have no idea what the status of KCurtis is or his value as determined by the Patriot FO. He may be valued mesurably lower than Welker. He may have no desire to play in New England or play for the Patriots. Bottom line, the Patriots just added a good and needed piece to the puzzle. Quit your *****ing and moaning, have faith, and wait and see what this guy can bring to the Patriot table. BB/SP do not just throw millions at a guy unless they really think he has something of value to bring to that table.

 

[feelthepain]

That means this will be his fourth season.

It's 2007......what math class did you take??

 

[MoLewisrocks]

It's 2007......what math class did you take??

They don't know football or teach fundamental math in So Florida any more!!!!

 

[lusdawg]

1) 2004
2) 2005
3) 2006
4) 2007